Carcass intervention tracking and methods

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides systems and methods for tracking carcass intervention data accumulated during carcass processing. An identification is assigned to the carcass. The carcass is subjected to at least one intervention, during which processing data is accumulated. The carcass identification and the processing data are then associated and compared to predetermined processing parameters.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/985,374 filed on Nov. 5, 2007, entitled CARCASS INTERVENTIONTRACKING, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to carcass tracking. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods fortracking information relating to carcass interventions for a particularcarcass during processing.

BACKGROUND

During commercial meat production, a beef carcass is subjected to anumber of different processing steps prior to and during the preparationof meat cuts and other meat products from the carcass. The objective ofseveral of these steps, referred to herein as “interventions,” ismicrobial reduction. For example, shortly after an animal isslaughtered, it is subjected to a hide-on carcass wash to reducepotential microbial contamination on the carcass hide. The hide is thenremoved, often followed by another washing step. Portions of the carcassmay also be steam pasteurized prior to being chilled. During many ofthese interventions, it is desirable to operate within predeterminedprocessing parameters to maximize the effectiveness of the intervention.

The carcasses are also tested and/or inspected at a number of locationsalong the meat processing line, and certain information regardingcarcasses may determine whether the carcass surface exhibits indicatorsof fecal contamination. In addition, portions of the carcass that havebeen removed, such as the viscera, may be inspected to ensure that theanimal was healthy at the time of slaughter. Additional inspections mayoccur on meat cuts and other meat products derived from the carcasses.

Unfortunately, measurements on processed carcasses, carcass portionsand/or meat products will, from time to time, not pass one or moreinspections that occur inside or outside the processing facility.Occasionally, measurement that do not pass an inspection(s) are causedby a carcass characteristic or condition that was caused, or intended tobe addressed, by a particular intervention.

To determine the source or cause and/or to remedy such undesiredmeasurements, it is often helpful to consider whether an interventionperformed on that carcass was operating outside of a predeterminedparameter(s). With respect to the hide-on carcass wash, for example, itmay be helpful to determine whether the wash system was operatingoutside of a temperature parameter at the time the carcass having theundesired measurements was washed. Conventional processing operationsmanually record data relating to interventions performance as a functionof date and time. However, because this approach does not allow data tobe continuously collected for each carcass, such recorded data is oflimited usefulness for tracking the source of such undesiredmeasurements. Additionally, this approach does not identify the specifictime frame during which an intervention was not operating within desiredparameters.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the present invention, a system for processing carcassesis provided. The system comprises at least one carcass interventionwherein carcasses are subjected to a processing step(s); a carcassidentification system for assigning identifiers to individual carcassesduring processing; an intervention interface system configured to recorddata from the intervention; and a control system configured to receivedata from the intervention interface(s) and to associate data relatingto a carcass with the assigned identifier of the carcass.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of processing acarcass is provided. The method includes assigning an identification tothe carcass; subjecting the carcass to at least one intervention whereinprocessing data relating to the carcass is accumulated; associating theprocessing data with the carcass identification; and comparing theassociated processing data with at least one predetermined interventionprocessing parameter.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method of processing acarcass is provided. The method comprises assigning an identification tothe carcass by attaching an electronic identification tag to at leastone of the carcass and a trolley that carries the carcass; scanning theelectronic identification tag and storing the carcass identifier in adatabase; subjecting the carcass to an intervention and inspectionwherein intervention processing data and inspection processing datarelating to the carcass is accumulated; associating accumulatedintervention processing data and inspection processing data with thecarcass identifier in the database; comparing the accumulatedintervention processing data and inspection processing data to one ormore predetermined processing parameters; and determining whether aninspection having a processing parameter outside of a predeterminedrange is related to an intervention operating outside of a predeterminedrange.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate several aspects of the presentinvention and together with description of the embodiments serve toexplain the principles of the invention. A brief description of thedrawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system for processing carcassesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary conveyor system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary carcass wash system according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary method for processing carcassesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary method for processing carcassesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method for processing carcassesaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present invention described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formsdisclosed in the following detailed description. Rather the embodimentsare chosen and described so that others skilled in the art mayappreciate and understand the principles and practices of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system 100 for processingcarcasses according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thesystem 100 includes a carcass identification system 110, at least onecarcass intervention 120, a control system 125 adapted to communicatewith the identification system 110 and intervention 120, and an optionalinspection station 130.

Carcass Identification System

A variety of carcass identification systems 110 may be used according toembodiments of the present invention, including systems conventionallyemployed to track information relating to characteristics (e.g., carcassweight, type or origin) of a carcass. Examples of such tracking systemsinclude vision based systems such as the TolleyVision® tracking systemmanufactured by Automated Systems Technologies Design. Other suitablecarcass identification systems that can be used as carcassidentification system 110 include a machine readable tag(s) or label(s)attached to the carcass and one or more tag readers. Examples of suchtags or labels include visual 2D coding, bar-codes and RFID tags. Inother exemplary systems, sequential identifiers could be used to trackthe carcasses on a first-in, first-out basis.

In an exemplary embodiment, carcass identification system 110 comprisesan RFID system such as the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,724,309,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein byreference for all purposes. Such system utilizes a RFID tag thatattaches to the carcass and/or conveyor trolley. The system furtherincludes one or more of readers to identify and track each carcassduring processing. In one exemplary embodiment, the RFID tag ispreferably adapted to receive and record processing information from thecontrol system 125.

In another exemplary embodiment, the identification system 110 isadapted to track carcass portions (e.g., primal, sub-primal and trimportions), meat cuts and/or other meat products (e.g., ground beef)derived from the source carcass. This can be accomplished, for example,using additional identification tags or labels that associate eachportion, cut or other product with the source carcass or carcasses.

Interventions

A variety of carcass interventions 120 that accumulate processing datamay be incorporated into the system 100. Exemplary interventions 120include various hide and/or carcass cleaning, disinfecting, mechanicalevaluation and/or pasteurization interventions. Examples of processingdata that may be obtained from or accumulated by each intervention 120includes processing time, temperature, microbial reduction,component/solution concentration, pH, pressure, conductivity and/orflow. Carcass characteristics (e.g., carcass identification, trolleynumber, weight, gender, age, lot, kill date, carcass side, dwell time,rail out time, rail in time) may also be recorded and submitted to thecontrol system 125.

System 100 may also include conveyors to convey the carcass to andbetween various interventions 120. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplaryoverhead carcass conveyor 200 according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention which includes an overhead track 210, a chain 220movably attached to the overhead track 210 and a trolley 230 including ahook 240 for carrying a carcass 250.

In an exemplary embodiment, a hide-on carcass wash intervention 120 isincorporated into system 100 in accordance with the present invention.FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary carcass wash system300. Exemplary carcass wash systems that can be used in accordance withthe present invention are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/084,785, filed on Mar. 18, 2005, which is hereby incorporated byreference herein fully for all purposes. Wash system 300 preferablyincludes several discrete areas, zones and/or chambers, including afirst buffer area 302, a first wash area 304, a second buffer area 306,a second wash area 308, and a drying area 310. The wash system 300 alsopreferably includes two approximately 90 degree turns in the first andsecond wash areas 304, 308 configured so the wash system 300 defines agenerally U-shaped configuration. In another embodiment, the wash system300 shown in FIG. 3 could be configured in a linear fashion byeliminating the 90-degree turns. In a further embodiment, a third bufferarea could be positioned between the second wash areas 308 and thedrying area 310.

The use of one or more buffer areas serves several purposes depending onthe configuration and location of the buffer area within the washsystem. Buffer areas located adjacent the entrance to the first washarea 304 and/or the exit to the second wash area 308 serve to limit theescape of airborne material (e.g. wash solution spray contaminants) fromthe wash system 300 into the external environment. The second bufferarea 306 provided between the first and second wash areas 304, 308 servethe additional purpose of increasing the time between the application ofthe first and second wash solutions onto a particular animal hide.

A plurality of doors may be used to separate the various areas in thewash system 300. A first door 312 provides an entrance door into thefirst buffer area 302. A second door 314 is preferably provided betweenthe first buffer area 302 and the first wash area 304. A third door 316is preferably provided between the first wash area 304 and the secondbuffer area 306. A fourth door 318 is preferably provided between thesecond buffer area 306 and the second wash area 308. Although not shown,additional doors and/or blowers could be included between the secondwash area 308 and the drying zone 310 and/or between the drying zone 310and the end of the wash area 300. Likewise, any of the reported doors,particularly the third door 316 and fourth door 318, may be eliminated.In this embodiment, the second buffer area 306 may serve primarily toincrease the hide dwell time of the wash solution applied in the firstwash area 304 prior entry into the second wash area 308.

A first rail 320 and a second rail 322 extend through the wash system300. The first and second rails 320, 322 may be associated with aplurality of leg shackles (not shown) wherein a first hind leg of acarcass is shackled to the first rail, and a second hind leg of thecarcass is shackled to the second rail. In an exemplary embodiment, thefirst and second hind legs are shackled to align the belly of thecarcass to an inside wall 324 and the back of the animal to an outsidewall 326 of the wash room. In an alternate embodiment, other devices maybe used to transport the animal, including chains, tracks, conveyors andother conventional inventory transporting systems.

The second rail 322 preferably forms a continuous loop with respect tothe wash system 300. The second rail 322 may employ captive leg shacklesthat remain attached to the second rail 322. As a carcass approaches orenters the wash system 300 along the first rail 320, the second hind legof the carcass is attached to the captive shackle on the second rail 322to align the carcass prior to entry into the first buffer chamber 302.

A variety of different types of processing data may be accumulated withrespect to such carcass wash interventions 120, including temperature,time, flow, pressure (liquid, steam, air), conductivity, dwell time, aswell as chemical composition, concentration and pH.

Control System

Control system 125 is preferably configured to obtain carcassidentifiers from the identification system 110 and processing data fromthe intervention 120, and to associate each carcass identifier withcorresponding processing data. In one exemplary embodiment, controlsystem 125 includes a microprocessor. The microprocessor can be anymicroprocessor capable of communicating with the carcass identificationsystem 110 and carcass interventions 120 to associate processing datawith carcass identifiers. In one example, the control system 125includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) functionally capable ofperforming the tasks described in detail below.

The control system 125 also preferably includes peripheral components orother interfaces, which facilitate communication with the identificationsystem 110 and carcass interventions 120. In one embodiment, the controlsystem includes an identification interface adapted to communicateidentification information relating to processed carcasses to themicroprocessor. In one example, the interface comprises an electronictag reader that is positioned to identify carcasses at an intervention.In another example, the interface comprises a terminal or peripheralinto which a carcass identifier is manually entered. In a first-in,first-out identification system 110, the interface may comprise anelectronic counting mechanism or the like.

In another embodiment, the control system 125 preferably includes anintervention interface 150 configured to receive processing data fromthe intervention 120 and to communicate the data to the microprocessor.In one example, the intervention interface comprises a direct linkbetween the intervention 120 and the microprocessor. For a carcass washintervention, for example, the wash system may automatically recordprocessing data and send that data to the microprocessor. In anotherembodiment, the intervention interface comprises a peripheral componentsuch as a temperature sensor or pH sensor. In another embodiment, theinterface is also capable of communicating with the intervention to, forexample, modify the processing operation based on instructions from themicroprocessor.

In an exemplary embodiment, the microprocessor is configured toassociate processing data with the identifier in, for example, anelectronic database. This identifier could also be associated with otherinformation relating to the carcass. In another embodiment, themicroprocessor is further adapted to compare the processing data withone or more predetermined parameters and to determine whether theprocessing data falls within the predetermined parameters. For example,if the processing data relates to a processing temperature, themicroprocessor is adapted to determine whether the processingtemperature falls within certain predetermined temperature parametersand associates that determination with the carcass identifier. In yetanother embodiment, the microprocessor is adapted to prepare a reportsummarizing processing data relating to a carcass and/or intervention atthe direction of a user.

In a further exemplary embodiment, the control system 125 is preferablyconfigured to take one or more actions based on the comparison of theprocessing data and predetermined processing parameters. In one suchexample, the microprocessor flags carcass identifiers that areassociated with processing data falling outside one or morepredetermined parameters. In another example, the microprocessor alertsthe intervention or plant personnel if a carcass identifier isassociated with processing data falling outside of one or morepredetermined processing parameters. In yet another example, the controlsystem 125 is adapted to make one or more processing decisions based onthe comparison of the processing data and predetermined processingparameters. For example, if a carcass identifier is associated withprocessing data that falls outside of predetermined processingparameter, the control system 125 is preferably configured to deliverinstructions or operate the processing system to process the carcassassociated with that identifier differently than other carcasses, suchas with additional inspection or intervention steps, for example.

In an additional exemplary embodiment, system 110 also incorporates oneor more inspection stations 130 adapted to communicate inspectioninformation (e.g., passed inspection or failed inspection, for example)to the microprocessor via one or more peripheral or interface componentsso the microprocessor 130 can associate the inspection information withthe corresponding carcass identifier. Computer terminals and pass/failvision technology are examples of suitable components of the inspectioninterface.

In an exemplary embodiment, the interface is preferably configured tocommunicate processing data about a carcass from the microprocessor 130to the inspection interface so that an inspector can consider relevantprocessing data during inspection. In another embodiment, the controlsystem 125 is preferably configured to modify processing steps in theevent of a failed inspection at the inspection station 120 and/or if acarcass is associated with processing data that falls outside of thepredetermined processing parameters.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for processing carcasses according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. A carcass is firstpositioned on a conveyor that carries the carcass through one or moreinterventions and/or inspections 410. Prior to or after being positionedon the conveyor, the carcass and/or the trolley by which the carcass iscarried is assigned an identifier 420. The carcass is then subjected toat least one intervention 430, at which processing data relating to theintervention is accumulated 440. The processing data relating to thecarcass is then associated with the carcass identifier 450 and comparedto at least one predetermined processing parameter 460. In an exemplaryembodiment, processing data related to a single carcass for any numberof interventions can be compared. For example, all processing data forall interventions for a single carcass can be compared. The carcass mayalso be inspected and information from the inspection may be associatedwith the carcass identifier.

Exemplary method 500 illustrated in FIG. 5 is similar to method 400except that at least one processing decision 570 is made based on thecomparison of the processing information and predetermined processingparameters. A carcass is first positioned on a conveyor that carries thecarcass through one or more interventions and/or inspections 510. Priorto or after being positioned on the conveyor, the carcass and/or thetrolley on which the carcass is carried is assigned an identifier 520.The carcass is then subjected to at least one intervention 530, at whichprocessing data relating to the intervention is accumulated 540. Theprocessing data relating to the carcass is then associated with thecarcass identifier 550 and compared to at least one predeterminedprocessing parameter 560. In an exemplary embodiment, processing datarelated to a single carcass for any number of interventions can becompared. For example, all processing data for all interventions for asingle carcass can be compared. The carcass may also be inspected andinformation from the inspection may be associated with the carcassidentifier. For example, if the processing data falls within thepredetermined processing parameters, a default set of processing steps(e.g., interventions and inspections) are carried out on the carcass.However, if the processing data falls outside of the scope of theparameter, a different set of processing steps are carried out.Alternatively or additionally, at least one processing decision is madeonly if the processing data for the carcass falls outside of thepredetermined processing parameter and at least one inspection isfailed.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exemplary method 600 for processing a carcassaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. The carcass is hungfrom an overhead conveyor (610) and an electronic identification tag isattached to the carcass and/or carcass trolley (620). The tag isinitially scanned by a reader and the carcass identifier is stored in adatabase (630). The carcass is then subjected to one or moreinterventions and/or inspections (640) at which the electronic tag isagain scanned. Processing data accumulated at each intervention (660)and inspection information accumulated at each inspection (670) is thenassociated with the identifier of that carcass in the database. Theprocessing data and inspection information for a carcass is thencompared to at least one predetermined parameter (680) to determinewhether a failed inspection is related to an intervention operatingoutside of predetermined parameters.

The present invention has now been described with reference to severalembodiments thereof. The entire disclosure of any patent or patentapplication identified herein is hereby incorporated by reference. Theforegoing detailed description and examples have been given for clarityof understanding only. No unnecessary limitations are to be understoodtherefrom. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that manychanges can be made in the embodiments described without departing fromthe scope of the invention. Thus, the scope of the present inventionshould not be limited to the structures described herein, but only bythe structures described by the language of the claims and theequivalents of those structures.

1. A system for processing carcasses, comprising: at least one carcassintervention wherein carcasses are subjected to a processing step; acarcass identification system for assigning identifiers to individualcarcasses during processing; an intervention interface configured torecord data from the intervention; and a control system configured toreceive data from the intervention interface and to associate datarelating to a carcass with the assigned identifier of the carcass. 2.The system of claim 1, wherein the carcass intervention comprises one ormore of carcass washing, antimicrobial application, hot waterpasteurization, organic matter detection, and steam pasteurizationtreatment.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein the data includes at leastone of time data, temperature data, pH data, pressure data, andcomposition data.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control systemincludes a microprocessor.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein theidentification system includes electronic tags associated with one ormore of each carcass and each trolley that carries a carcass and atleast one reader associated with the microprocessor.
 6. The system ofclaim 5, wherein at least one reader is positioned to read theelectronic tags just prior to or during the intervention.
 7. The systemof claim 4, wherein the microprocessor is configured to compareprocessing data with at least one predetermined intervention processingparameter and to identify carcasses having associated processing datafalling outside of the predetermined intervention processing parameter.8. The system of claim 4, further comprising an inspection interface forreceiving inspection information.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein themicroprocessor associates inspection information for individualcarcasses with the identifier corresponding to that carcass.
 10. Thesystem of claim 8, wherein the inspection interface comprises a directlink between the intervention and the microprocessor.
 11. A method ofprocessing a carcass comprising: assigning an identification to thecarcass; subjecting the carcass to at least one intervention whereinprocessing data relating to the carcass is accumulated; associating theprocessing data with the carcass identification; and comparing theassociated processing data with at least one predetermined interventionprocessing parameter.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein assigning anidentification to the carcass comprises attaching an electronicidentification tag to at least one of the carcass and a trolley thatcarries the carcass.
 13. The method of claim 12, comprising reading theelectronic identification tag just prior to or during the intervention.14. The method of claim 11, wherein the carcass intervention comprisesone or more of carcass washing, antimicrobial application, hot waterpasteurization, organic matter detection, and steam pasteurizationtreatment.
 15. The method of claim 11, wherein comparing the associatedprocessing data with at least one predetermined intervention processingparameter comprises identifying carcasses having associated processingdata different from the predetermined intervention processing parameter.16. The method of claim 11, comprising making a processing decisionbased on the comparison of the processing data and the at least onepredetermined intervention processing parameter.
 17. The method of claim11, wherein comparing the associated processing data with at least onepredetermined intervention processing parameter comprises comparing allprocessing data for a single carcass.
 18. A method of processing acarcass comprising: assigning an identification to the carcass byattaching an electronic identification tag to at least one of thecarcass and a trolley that carries the carcass; scanning the electronicidentification tag and storing the carcass identifier in a database;subjecting the carcass to an intervention and inspection whereinintervention processing data and inspection processing data relating tothe carcass is accumulated; associating accumulated interventionprocessing data and inspection processing data with the carcassidentifier in the database; comparing the accumulated interventionprocessing data and inspection processing data to one or morepredetermined processing parameters; and determining whether aninspection having a processing parameter outside of a predeterminedrange is related to an intervention operating outside of a predeterminedrange.
 19. The method of claim 18, comprising scanning the electronicidentification tag just prior to or during one or more of theintervention and inspection.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein thecarcass intervention comprises one or more of carcass washing,antimicrobial application, hot water pasteurization, organic matterdetection, and steam pasteurization treatment.